The Dyson Institute of Engineering and Technology is seeking to appoint an experienced Academic Registrar for an interim period of 12 months. We are a uniquely structured Higher Education Institution with a bold vision to provide unrivalled world-class education that shapes the engineering leaders of the future. Through our dynamic partnership with Dyson, a global technology leader, we leverage state-of-the-art facilities, expert mentorship from seasoned engineers, and abundant resources to create an unparalleled learning environment.
In 2024 we became the first higher education provider to be awarded full degree awarding powers after the OfS introduced a new approach to degree awarding powers, enabling new providers to award their own degrees. In 2024 we were inspected by OFSTED and judged Outstanding in all areas, and our flagship course carries professional engineering accreditation. Quality and excellence are at the heart of what we do.
In the Dyson Institute, we pride ourselves on cultivating a vibrant, face-to-face collaborative work environment where support is the norm. Our community is deeply committed to fostering curiosity, sparking innovation, and encouraging unconventional problem-solving. Together, we push the boundaries of what's possible, not just for our students but for the future of engineering and higher education.
For more information and to see what you could be part of, please visit: https://www.dysoninstitute.ac.uk/about-us/who-we-are/
As our organisation evolves, we are looking for an Interim Academic Registrar who will provide senior leadership for assurance activities and develop the existing team to autonomy particularly in the areas of Quality Assurance, Compliance, and secretary to the Governing body. You may be an experienced Academic Registrar, may have led Academic Registry functions in a small specialist provider, or have acted as a Registrar/Assistant Registrar in a larger multi-faculty institution. Regardless, you will be fluent across QA, compliance, academic administration, student cases, policies, board servicing, governance, data and systems.
Responsibilities
Governance & Board Secretariat
Ensure effective operation of governance structures and compliance with statutory requirements.
Act as Secretary to Council and Academic Board, ensuring agendas, minutes, and action tracking meet audit standards.
Coach colleagues in governance best practice, minute-taking, and assurance reporting.
Quality Assurance & Academic Administration
Maintain and align academic policies with regulatory requirements (OfS (ongoing Conditions of Registration of requirements for indefinite degree-awarding powers), ESFA, OFSTED, HESA, OIA).
Ensure the security of the main procedures and processes which govern the standards of the Institute’s awards are properly recorded and well communicated, particularly in line with external requirements such as those of the Office for Students to ensure full compliance.
Review all student academic policies for alignment and consistency, ensuring they are practicable for dual status students/employees
Oversee student cases, academic regulations, and conduct at assessment boards to ensure fairness and compliance.
Mentor team members in QA processes and regulatory interpretation.
Participate in Committees and maintain/develop policies commensurate with the role
Data & Compliance
Ensure accuracy of student records for statutory returns.
Lead benchmarking of academic policies and governance frameworks against sector norms.
Ensure that the Institute’s contract and policy rollover with individual students in relation to academic matters is clear, fair and meets all necessary internal and external requirements
Coaching & Capability Building
Line manage and develop early- and mid-career colleagues in QA, Board Secretary, and Student Data functions through structured mentoring and skills transfer strategies
Introduce/review standard operating procedures and templates for governance packs, assurance reports, and policy documentation.
Key Relationships
Institute Leadership Group, and in particular the Director and Deputy Director (Academic)
Chair of the governing body and its members
The Dyson Institute Student Committee
In matters of student cases and for policy development, effective collaboration with Dyson Technology’s Human Resources and Employee Relations teams is critical to successful outcomes that recognise the dual status of our students, who are simultaneously employees
Essential skills and experience
Senior-level experience in academic governance, including Board servicing and assurance reporting
Strong understanding of regulatory frameworks (OfS, ESFA, HESA, OIA) and ability to translate compliance requirements into practical processes.
Proven ability to confidently deal with a variety of people at all levels of an organisation, with critical stakeholders, with governing bodies and external bodies
Ability to supervise the work of staff and experience of mentoring more junior colleagues in a small, high performing team
Experience designing and delivering structured development plans, including buddying systems, targeted training, and capability-building initiatives in governance, quality assurance, and academic administration.
Degree-level educational achievement
Ability to deal with a wide range of responsibilities and with casework
Ability to work calmly under pressure, prioritising work and meeting competing deadlines
Evidence of working in an organised, methodical and evidence-based manner, reaching judgements with accuracy and excellent attention to detail
Excellent team-working skills and ability to work co-operatively with others and build constructive relationships
The ability to deal with sensitive and confidential matters with discretion
Safeguarding
The Dyson Institute is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our learners. Successful candidates must be willing to undergo a full screening including DBS check. Issues relating to safeguarding and promoting welfare of students will be explored at interview.
Financial
- Performance-related bonus scheme
- Competitive pension scheme
- Life assurance
- Discounts on Dyson machines and retail discounts
- Free bus travel to and from campus (from Bristol, Bath, Chippenham, and Swindon)
Lifestyle
- 27 days’ holiday (plus bank holidays)
- Free on-site lunches, fruit, and hot drinks
- Free on-site sports centre, gym, hair salon, and lifestyle assistance (concierge)
- Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme
- Ability to purchase additional holiday
Health
- Private medical insurance and dental insurance
- Employee assistance programme, digital GP, on-site physio and GP, prescription service, fertility treatment support
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Applications
This vacancy will close on the 8th February 2026. First stage interviews will be online w/c 16th February. Final stage in-person interviews in Malmesbury for this post are expected to take place w/c 23rd February. Travel expenses are available for in-person interviews.
Dyson is an equal opportunity employer. We know that great minds don’t think alike, and it takes all kinds of minds to make our technology so unique. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and employment decisions are made without regard to race, colour, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status or other any other dimension of diversity.